Process for Preparing the Acrylic Fiber

Background

Acrylic fibers contains 85% Acrylonitrile which has very limited dyeability . It is general practice to use a comonomer like methyl acrylate, vinyl acrylate, etc. to produce a copolymer . Such copolymer converted into fibers are dyeable with basic dyes and disperse dyes. However such fibers cannot be dyed with acid dyes which are easily available and have advantages such as easy application, easy solublility in water, provide bright and deep shades and good fasting properties. From this point of view, a process has been developed for the preparation of Acrylic fibers that is dyeable with commonly available acid dyes. These fibers have excellent exhaustion, leveling properties.

Introduction

The process comprises of treating acrylic fibers with a base liquor at a specified ratio in a flask The flask is fitted with a stirring device, means for inlet and outlet for Nitrogen gas and thermometer for regulating the temperature changes during the reaction. A sharp dropping funnel is provided for providing a liquid inside the flask without disturbing the internal atmosphere. An inert atmosphere is created inside the flask by bubbling nitrogen gas through the flask. The treatment of the acrylic fiber is carried out for a specific period of time and at a specified temperature. An additive dissolved in liquor ammonia is added into the flask during the process of treatment for a specified duration. The treated acrylic fibers, after draining out the reaction liquid mixture, are washed with an alcohol or a ketone so as to remove any adhering treatment liquor from the fibers. The washed fibers are then air dried to get the dyeable acrylic fibers.

Special Features

Improved dyeability

• Dyeable with acid dyes which are easily available
• Excellent exhaustion, leveling properties; Cost Effective

Prospective Users

Textile Industries

Keywords

Dye, Acrylic, fiber

Type of Technology

Process

For further information please contact

Managing Director
Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT)
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, INDIA
Tel : 91-011-26597167, 26857762, 26581013, 26597153
Fax : 91-011-26851169
E-mail : drkdpn@gmail.com